Boom Island

Boom Island offers a convenient boat ramp access point on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, just upstream of St. Anthony Falls. The site features a single concrete boat ramp with dock access and a large parking lot, making it suitable for a variety of vessels including kayaks, canoes, houseboats, cabin cruisers, and fishing boats. This location serves as a popular put-in for paddlers and boaters heading downstream toward Pool 1 and the lower St. Croix River area.

Paddlers should be prepared for the Mississippi River's significant scale and current in this region. As a major river system with an average flow of over 685,000 cubic feet per second and average velocities around 11 feet per second, the river commands respect and requires appropriate skill levels and safety precautions. The proximity to St. Anthony Falls—the head of navigation for the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project—means this is an active waterway with commercial traffic. Check current conditions before launching, wear appropriate personal flotation devices, and be aware of the river's powerful currents and any hazards associated with the busy urban navigation channel.